Japanese people have different tastes from their Western counterparts (Heck, many of Kotaku East's Culture Smash columns focus specifically on this sociological difference), and Japanese gamers are no exception. Every week, Japanese gaming magazine Weekly Famitsu collects user impressions of newly released video games. Users rate games from 1 to 10 and comment on what they liked or disliked about each game.

In this week's issue, Weekly Famitsu has collected and compiled all the user scores for games released in 2012 and ranked the top scorers. So which games were the Japanese user favorites? Take a look:
(Note: Games with the same average user score have been ranked the same)

#19: Persona 4 Arena
(PS3/Xbox 360)
Number of User Reviews: 73
Average User Score: 9.26#18: Mario Party 9
(Wii)
Number of User Reviews: 52
Average User Score: 9.30#18: Kid Icarus: Uprising
(3DS)
Number of User Reviews: 149
Average User Score: 9.30#16: Fire Emblem: Awakening
(3DS)
Number of User Reviews: 251
Average User Score: 9.31#15: Rhythm Thief R: Emperor Napoleon's Legacy
(3DS)
Number of User Reviews: 93
Average User Score: 9.32#14: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED BATTLE DESTINY
Number of User Reviews: 60
Average User Score: 9.33#13: Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations
(PS3/Xbox 360)
Number of User Reviews: 104
Average User Score: 9.34#13: Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side Premium ~3rd Story~
(PSP)
Number of User Reviews: 86
Average User Score: 9.34#13: Tales of Innocence R
(PS Vita)
Number of User Reviews: 114
Average User Score: 9.34#13: Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
(3DS)
Number of User Reviews: 140
Average User Score: 9.34#9: Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry's Wonderland 3D
(3DS)
Number of User Reviews: 492
Average User Score: 9.40
User Comments:
"The game incorporates all the good points from recent games while handily remaking the classic game Terry's Wonderland
."
"I've played the original, so I was really anticipating the remake. The system has changed, but the graphics are upgraded and the additional scenario was fun."#8: Kingdom Hearts 3D – Dream Drop Distance
(3DS)
Number of User Reviews: 126
Average User Score: 9.45
User Comments:
"This is my first time with the series, but there is a tutorial, so it's easy for beginners to pick up. The game also explained a good deal of the previous story which allowed me to get into it."
"I was moved by the quality of the opening movie. I liked how the tutorial was very easy to follow. The action was a little difficult, but once you get used to it, it's not a problem, making this the perfect game to celebrate the series' 10th anniversary."#7: Resident Evil: Revelations
(3DS)
Number of User Reviews: 93
Average User Score: 9.48
User Comments:
"The graphics were some of the prettiest I've seen for a 3DS title. I was happy to be able to play a Resident Evil
game on a portable console, but, to be honest, I would have liked to play it on a big screen."
"This game has a lot of points that feel like it's going back to its roots. The new system helps build the fear of the darkness."#6: 2nd Super Robot Wars Z: Saisei-hen
(PSP)
Number of User Reviews: 102
Average User Score: 9.49
User Comments:
"The most impressive point was the quality of the battle scenes! This level of quality on the PSP! No complaints here."
"Being able to get bonuses for playing the previous Hakai-hen
game was nice. The story was a lot of fun, flowing quickly from beginning to end. It was unfortunate that some of the special abilities of certain robots could only be used toward the end of the game."#5: Harvest Moon: A New Beginning
(3DS)
Number of User Reviews: 60
Average User Score: 9.50
User Comments:
"This is my first time with the Harvest Moon
series, but I was able to enjoy it without difficulty thanks to the tutorial. Veterans may find the tutorial a little pesky. Everything you can do in the game is a lot of fun."
"The added freedom make the game even more enjoyable than its predecessors. Being able to customize your character was a plus. The variety of crops and livestock made running the farm satisfyingly challenging."#4: Gravity Daze
(PS Vita)
Number of User Reviews: 110
Average User Score: 9.60
User Comments:
"The fast movement by the touch screen and motion controlled camera were innovative and enjoyable. The story was a little short. There are a lot of additional play elements like challenge missions and net ranking, but I wish there was more variety."
"It feels great to speed around through the air defeating enemies! The visuals and music are beautiful and the unique world is very immersive."#3: Journey
(PS3)
Number of User Reviews: 70
Average User Score: 9.70
User Comments:
"The fantastical world and game system makes you want to play again and again. This is a classic that every PlayStation 3 owner should play."
"The vast field is intimidating, but the controls are simple enough that anyone can play. It's a world with no words or text, so there's no dialogue, and yet I was in tears by the end of the story. I wish there were more trophies."#2: Persona 4 Golden
(PS Vita)
Number of User Reviews: 132
Average User Score: 9.71
User Comments:
"School life is a lot of fun! I like how Persona creation has been streamlined. Collecting cards for Persona fusion is fun and being able to set the difficulty made it easy to play. I would have liked the story to be a little bit more unpredictable."
"The fast-paced battles are exhilarating! The story theme of family and friendship was heartwarming and made playing the game a lot of fun. The additional modes like the movie viewer and quiz were very satisfying. I had no problem playing through multiple times."#1: Super Dangan-Ronpa 2 – Goodbye, School of Despair
(PSP)
Number of User Reviews: 87
Average User Score: 9.79
User Comments:
"I had to know what was going to happen so much I couldn't put the game down and ended up clearing the game in no time. Wondering if a character you like is going to survive to the end keeps you on pins and needles."
"All the plot points laid down are taken care of satisfyingly. It feels great when you solve all the puzzles!"